Train For Distance – Train Your Stomach

Just as you must train your legs to go the distance, your digestive system must be fine-tuned to deliver the nutrients under the stress of long runs. In this process, you’ll steadily eliminate (or adjust the intake of) foods that produce negative effects. You want to get into a routine, knowing exactly what to eat, when to eat it, how much to drink with it, etc. If you adjust this during your series of long runs, you’ll reduce the chance of problems in the event to almost nothing. Your stomach and GI tract can adapt to delivering nutrients with little or no negative reactions throughout a strenuous endurance event. While a variety of foods is great for overall nutrition, your pre-race diet will be more focused. Analyze your eating the day before and the morning of long runs. Over the months, eliminate foods that cause problems. If you had a problem, eliminate the food or f...